The Federal Emergency Management Agency responded to claims made by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk about alleged confiscation of the Starlink internet system. 'It’s very real and scary how much they have taken control to stop people helping.' Musk made the claims on X, the social media platform he owns, about the alleged actions from FEMA against Starlink, which he also owns. "Just received this note from a SpaceX engineer helping on the ground in North Carolina," wrote Musk. 'Hey Elon, update here on site of Asheville, NC. We have powered up two large operating bases for choppers to deliver goods into hands. We’ve deployed 300+ starlinks and outpour is it has saved many lives. The big issue is FEMA is actively blocking shipments and seizing goods and services locally and locking them away to state they are their own. It’s very real and scary how much they have taken control to stop people helping. We are blocked now on the shipments of new starlinks coming in until we get an escort from the fire dept. but that may not be enough.' "@FEMA is not merely failing to adequately help people in trouble, but is actively blocking citizens who try to help!" he added. Musk followed up with more accusations later on Friday. "SpaceX engineers are trying to deliver Starlink terminals & supplies to devastated areas in North Carolina right now and @FEMA is both failing to help AND won’t let others help. This is unconscionable!!" he wrote. The tweet included a video of the devastation in North Carolina. "@FEMA wouldn’t let them land to deliver critical supplies ... my blood is boiling," he added. FEMA responds FEMA’s Director of Public Affairs Jaclyn Rothenberg responded to the accusations with a pointed denial in an email to Blaze News. “The claims about FEMA confiscating or taking commodities, supplies or resources in North Carolina, Tennessee, or any state impacted by Helene are false. FEMA is continuing to work with our federal family and state and local partners in the impacted areas to effectively bring in life-saving resources to the people and communities who need it most. As of Oct. 3. FEMA has deployed more than 11.5 million Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), over 12.6 million liters of water, more than 400,000 tarps and 150 generators to areas impacted by Helene," read the statement. “Connectivity is crucial to disaster response. FEMA has successfully deployed Starlink in multiple disasters to support disaster operations including disasters in Guam, Hawaii and Alaska," she added. "FEMA has helped provide Starlink terminals to the state of North Carolina, including to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation and critical lifeline locations as determined by the state. These units are supporting state and local municipalities, Urban Search and Rescue and disaster coordination. Starlink units have been sent to multiple states in support of Hurricane Helene response efforts.” FEMA also directed Blaze News to its rumor page, specifically where it addresses accusations that the agency was confiscating goods meant for private hurricane relief. FEMA does not take donations and/or food from survivors or voluntary organizations. Donations of food, water, or other goods are handled by voluntary agencies who specialize in storing, sorting, cleaning, and distributing donated items. FEMA does not conduct vehicle stops or handle road closures with armed guards — those are done by local law enforcement. Officials say there have been 220 confirmed deaths from the hurricane, but many more are expected as relief efforts continue. Here's more about the disaster-relief efforts: Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Caitlin Clark, despite being for the most part apolitical, has been a lightning rod for controversy. As the most adored female player to have ever graced the basketball court, Clark’s fanbase is huge — and they’re vocal. When a rivalry between Clark, who at the time played for the University of Iowa, and LSU’s Angel Reese sparked in 2023, many of Clark’s fans were accused of hurling racial insults at Clark’s competitors. According to mainstream outlets, Clark’s fans and their racism have followed the athlete into the WNBA, creating a hostile environment for many of the athletes. Former WNBA player Sue Bird, the partner of radical leftist retired professional soccer player Megan Rapinoe, recently spoke on this subject. In her podcast “A Touch More,” the former athlete told Rapinoe that “racism has been impacting the WNBA well before this year,” meaning Clark’s fans are merely exacerbating a pre-existing problem. “I do think Caitlin is being used as a pawn. Caitlin didn’t bring racism to the WNBA,” said Bird, who went on a long rant about how she never could just focus on being a basketball player because she was forced to be a social justice warrior. “We're still not allowed to be focused on our basketball play,” Bird lamented. However, where Bird sees social justice issues, Jason Whitlock sees a pathetic cry for attention. - YouTube www.youtube.com “You couldn't get any traction based on your basketball, and so you decided, ‘Hey, we got to talk about racism and sexism to draw attention; we have to kneel during the national anthem to draw attention,”’ he says, comparing the WNBA’s social justice activism to “a kid who can’t get attention from their parents.” And now that Caitlin Clark has entered the chat, people are finally able to focus on basketball because she’s brought the right kind of attention to the league. “Someone showed up here who plays good enough basketball to draw attention and now people are actually evaluating [women’s] basketball,” says Jason. According to him, before Clark, the WNBA fandom was lacking because it had “too many women tatted up and looking like men.” “People don’t want to see that,” he says. Then, “Caitlin Clark shows up with her ponytail and no tattoos and plays a brand of basketball that's exciting and fun to watch and voila — a crowd shows up,” Jason explains. To hear more of his analysis, watch the clip above. Want more from Jason Whitlock?To enjoy more fearless conversations at the crossroads of culture, faith, sports, and comedy with Jason Whitlock, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Mercury One, a charity founded in 2011 by Glenn Beck, has teamed up with the United Cajun Navy, a nonprofit organization, to deliver critical supplies and perform search-and-rescue operations in the areas devastated by Hurricane Helene.In a Friday post on X, Mercury One announced, “We have 50 helicopters now doing SAR & Air Drops. We have delivered over 10 tons of supplies to those in need.”'Don’t depend on the federal government,' he remarked. 'They’re not here to help you.'The United Cajun Navy thanked Mercury One for helping it double its “Cajun Wing” squad from 25 helicopters to 50.Mercury One began delivering supplies to those in North Carolina on Monday.“It’s not about the government’s power. It is about the power of the people. Thanks for doing more when the government does less. We are with you, Hurricane Helene victims & we are doing everything we can to help you,” the charity stated.On Thursday, Mercury One said it had already delivered 18,000 pounds of critical supplies this week. The charity continues to collect donations to deliver goods to those in need. — (@) Blaze News’ Julio Rosas spoke with individuals on the ground in the disaster areas. John H. Kinard III, a Tennessee pilot and veteran with Aeroluxe Aviation, told Rosas that he and his team saw the devastation in North Carolina and decided to help. He explained that the federal government has done essentially nothing. “There is a complete and utter lack of federal government response,” he said. “I’ve seen nobody on the ground.”“Ivanka Trump came yesterday, talked to us. Elon Musk’s guy’s been here talking to us. Glenn Beck is here now talking to us,” Kinard told Rosas. “I’ve seen no one from the federal government to help out at all. Nobody.”“To be honest, it just pisses me off. This is our country. We should be being taken care of, priority one, instead of all the other countries,” he continued. “It enrages everybody here.”“There’s about 100, 150 volunteers here at this site, 90% are retired military,” Kinard added.Over a two-day period, Kinard estimated that the group of volunteers he was with dropped off roughly 100,000 pounds of food, water, and medicine. “This area the most needs construction crews,” he told Blaze News. “They need road clearance and people to rebuild the roads. A lot of the roads are completely destroyed. When I say, ‘completely destroyed,’ they are gone.”Kinard said he wants the rest of the country to know that “normal, everyday Americans make the difference.”“Don’t depend on the federal government,” he remarked. “They’re not here to help you.” — (@) Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

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